florida fruit

FFVA President: CFAP Payment Amount Falls Short

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Legislative, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will bring much-needed relief to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the funds allocated per farmer is not enough, says Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner. “Florida agriculture was just crushed by the pandemic. A lot of our members have had some really, really big losses. When that direct …

Mexican Imports Still a Concern for American Farmers

Web AdminFruit, Labor, Produce, Top Posts, Trade, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson Mexican imports of produce into the United States continues to be a problem for American farmers. They especially felt the sting this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Southeast growers had to overcome a declining market when restaurants and schools closed in March for fears of COVID-19. They also were overshadowed by the constant influx of Mexican …

Clemson Vegetable Pathologist Cautions Growers About Potential Diseases

Web AdminCole Crop, Disease, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson One Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist has observed downy mildew disease and fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveneum disease on his research plots and cautions vegetable growers in South Carolina to be on the lookout for both. “This is strictly based on observations from my research plots here in Charleston. I have not been out to any commercial fields,” …

Produce Industry Responds to Accusations

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

Several produce organizations, including the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Florida Tomato Exchange, issued a letter to legislative leaders in defense of accusations regarding the treatment of farm workers, amid COVID-19. The letter was sent to Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader; Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House; Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader; …

South Carolina Hopeful for Productive Fruit and Vegetable Season

Web AdminFruit, Peaches, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The current coronavirus pandemic has impacted fruit and vegetable farmers across the Southeast. South Carolina producers may be better equipped to deal with the current crisis based off who their normal clientele is. “I think everyone here is looking at Florida and is not liking what we see down there but hoping that our situation is a …

Fried: Florida Farm to You Initiative a Tremendous Hit

Web AdminFlorida, Produce, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is connecting the state’s farmers with local consumers. The results so far have been tremendous, according to Nikki Fried, Florida Ag Commissioner. Fried highlighted the Florida Farm to You initiative that is designed to aid farmers, who are struggling to sell produce and other commodities during the ongoing …

Soil Moisture Sensors Benefit Vegetable Growers

Web AdminIrrigation, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson Irrigation scheduling tools like soil moisture sensors can save vegetable growers valuable input costs by applying less irrigation while also increasing crop yields, according to University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist Andre da Silva. He discussed irrigation management in vegetables during the Georgia Plant Food Educational Society meeting on Jan. 14–15 on the UGA Tifton …

VSC Expo Sees Success

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The 2019 Vegetable & Specialty Crop (VSC) Expo, held in conjunction with the 28-year-old Citrus Expo, saw great success with the largest crowd in Expo history on Aug. 14–15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. With more than 200 exhibitors and a stellar educational program, themed “Growing Stronger,” growers were able to meet with suppliers, mingle …

Speaker Spotlight: Nick Dufault

Web AdminTop Posts, VSC Expo

By Ashley Robinson Florida watermelon growers continue to struggle with fusarium wilt. Nick Dufault, plant pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), will be discussing this disease during his seminar presentation at the Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo. Fusarium wilt is a soilborne fungal disease that can affect watermelon plants at any point from …

Living with Fusarium Wilt

Web AdminCucurbits, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine, Watermelon

With multiple races that are increasingly aggressive, fusarium wilt has been a challenging disease for watermelon growers and a tough nut to crack for southeastern researchers. Nicholas Dufault, assistant professor and Extension specialist in the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Florida, says all races of fusarium wilt occur in Florida, but each is a little different. Fusarium wilt …